Prepossess
[,priːpə'zes]
Definition
(verb.) make a positive impression (on someone) beforehand; 'A prepossessing appearance'.
(verb.) cause to be preoccupied; 'The idea of his failure prepossesses him'.
(verb.) possess beforehand.
Typed by Geraldine--From WordNet
Definition
(v. t.) To preoccupy, as ground or land; to take previous possession of.
(v. t.) To preoccupy, as the mind or heart, so as to preclude other things; hence, to bias or prejudice; to give a previous inclination to, for or against anything; esp., to induce a favorable opinion beforehand, or at the outset.
Checker: Shari
Synonyms and Synonymous
v. a. Preoccupy, have prior possession of.
Inputed by Bruno
Definition
v.t. to possess beforehand: to fill beforehand as the mind with some opinion: to bias or prejudice.—adj. Prepossess′ing tending to prepossess in one's favour: making a favourable impression.—adv. Prepossess′ingly.—n. Preposses′sion previous possession: impression formed beforehand usually a favourable one.
Checker: Presley
Examples
- Krempe was a little squat man, with a gruff voice and repulsive countenance; the teacher, therefore, did not prepossess me in favour of his doctrine. Mary Shelley. Frankenstein_Or_The Modern Prometheus.
- When Monsieur Rigaud laughed, a change took place in his face, that was more remarkable than prepossessing. Charles Dickens. Little Dorrit.
- But neither is his late partner, whom he denounces, a prepossessing person. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- I found him to be a most prepossessing man, so far as manners and appearance were concerned. Wilkie Collins. The Woman in White.
- Their looks are not prepossessing, and their manners are peculiar. Charles Dickens. The Pickwick Papers.
- But in those who are at all inferior, it is extremely prepossessing. Jane Austen. Emma.
- Now, you know, so very prepossessing in the lady with the veil! Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- He looked very good-natured and prepossessing, though overpoweringly gay and free, in contrast with the squalid prison. Charles Dickens. Little Dorrit.
- It was impossible to foresee that the old gentleman would be so strongly prepossessed against his son's marriage, you know. Charles Dickens. The Pickwick Papers.
- It might be difficult to give an unselfish reason for being prepossessed against him. Charles Dickens. Little Dorrit.
- She did not like him, and feared him privately; nor was he very much prepossessed in her favour. William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
Checker: Zachariah